New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today released the following statement indicating his support for a petition drive, spearheaded by Council Member Alan Gerson, insisting that the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation reconsider its funding of Chatham Square / Park Row Improvement Program:

“I fully support this petition, and hope that the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation will heed the call by the community and elected officials to reconsider its funding of the Chatham Square / Park Row Improvement Program. This ill-conceived plan, developed by the City, has completely failed to take community concerns into consideration. Furthermore, if it moves forward, small businesses in Chinatown will loose significant amount of business at a time when they can least afford it. If the City will not step in an address these concerns, then I urge LMDC to take immediate action and stop this program from moving forward.” 

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